Notice: You are currently viewing a development version of the PerfectGame.org website.
For the live site, please visit www.perfectgame.org
THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE SCOUTING ORGANIZATION
| 2,031 MLB PLAYERS | 14,466 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,031 MLB PLAYERS | 14,466 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
Create Account
Sign in Create Account
College  | Rankings | 1/28/2016

2016 Division II Preview

Nick Herfordt
Andrew Krause
Photo: Millersville
d



2016 Perfect Game College Baseball Preview Index | @PGCollegeBall | @_eephuspitch (Nick Herfordt) |  PG College Facebook Page

Listed below are the Preseason Top 25 teams at the Division II level followed by detailed capsules of each program and the top 40 D-II prospects in regards to the MLB Draft. The rankings and the first three capsules (teams ranked 23-25) are available for free, the rest is available with a College Baseball Ticket (CBT) subscription. To learn more about the College Baseball Ticket and to sign up today please visit this link.


Typically it’s not a difficult decision to select the top preseason team in the nation. Every year there seems to be at least one club that stands above the rest. Last season selecting the Tampa Spartans as the preseason No. 1 was an absolute piece of cake. They were coming back from a record-breaking season, returned a roster full of gifted and experienced players and were motivated by falling just short of winning the title the previous spring.

It doesn’t get much easier than that. This year however, it is not that simple. Far from it.

An easy pick would be to choose Tampa once again. The Spartans are riding the wave of capturing their seventh school title and consistently have one of the best teams in D-II. Even when the leaders on the diamond graduate or get drafted, UT Head Coach Joe Urso always rolls out another roster ready to complete for the national title.

However this year it will be a tall task for the perennial powerhouse to finish No. 1. The Spartans return only two offensive starters from last season. The pitching staff is a little more stable with two established starters and the return of redshirt junior Trey Oest, but it still isn’t quite the UT staff on paper that it has been in the past. In order to stay at the top of the Sunshine State Conference standings and make the trip to Cary once again the red and black attack will have to rely on an inundation of junior college and D-I transfers. That strong dependence keeps Tampa out of the top spot – for now anyway.

Last year’s national title bridesmaid, Catawba, isn’t the preseason favorite either. While they can boast having the behemoth Will Albertson back, who was tops in the nation with a .467 average while clubbing 26 homers and collecting 91 RBI, he is only one of two returning everyday batters who hit over .300. His re-emergence on the diamond can’t single handedly overcome the loss of Cubs’ draftee Craig Brooks, who was the D-II MVP and Pitcher of the Year. The Indians should be shoo-ins to win the SAC title and advance to regional play, but labeling them as the team-to-beat is a bit of a stretch.

So then who is the preseason favorite? It’s a really, really, hard choice this year. There are a number of schools that are worthy of being No. 1, but each have an Achilles Heel that makes them vulnerable.

At one time early in the process the Colorado Mesa Mavs were penciled in for the top spot. The Mavs have been averaging well over 40 wins the past half-decade and should reach that mark once again. They have a well-rounded team stocked with some of the best players in the region, and like Tampa, they have a pipeline of JUCO and D-I transfers to pick up where departed players left off. The roster hits for an average in accord with the Colorado altitude and the pitchers put up an ERA uncharacteristically low for a club in the offense-laden RMAC. Nevertheless, the Mavs enter the season at the No. 5 spot.

St. Edward’s and Millersville also were given long, hard looks to be the top team. Both clubs won their conference titles and advanced to regional play on the backs of a quality starting lineup and phenomenal pitching. Each have made the trip to Cary within the past few seasons and a return trip to the D-II National Championship Series is a realistic, attainable goal. What makes both clubs especially formidable for this season is their experience.

SEU lost only five seniors from last year’s team and has an absolute ace in Collin Sherrod who has returned to campus despite being drafted. Millersville returns seven position players as well as their DH and can claim one of the nation’s top pitchers as well in Brandon Miller who is coming back from an all-star season in the Cape Cod League. Both teams are deserving of the No. 1 spot but are the third and fourth positioned clubs headed into the year.

Anointing Franklin Pierce as the No. 1 team is tricky. Their record last season was remarkable, going an astonishing 46-2. Replicating that record will be difficult as they’ll be without the reigning Northeast-10 Pitcher of the Year and a top presence behind the plate, but Head Coach Jayson King’s Ravens have won over 30 games every season since 2002 thanks to his ability to recruit and develop upper-echelon talent. The overwhelming reason FPU is able to accumulate their lopsided win totals is players on the field and coaching, but don’t exactly face a murderers’ row of opposition.

This season the Ravens don’t have a single series scheduled against an opponent in the top 25 – only three midweek games against SNHU are on the agenda. Playing out of New Hampshire makes it difficult to schedule non-conference games and the NE-10’s wood bat makes comparing the Ravens to other clubs cumbersome. Nevertheless, the fact that FPU’s batting average last season was .123 points higher than opposition and their team ERA was less than a third of their opponents shows they are a force to be reckoned with.

The top team in the Perfect Game D-II preseason rankings is the St. Cloud State Huskies. SCSU Head Coach Pat Dolan’s team has finished as the runner-ups in Central Region tournament four of the last six years.  The Huskies continually have one of the top teams in the region, but haven’t won the final game that sends them to Carolina. If the Huskies are to ever take that elusive final step and advance to the D-II National Championship Tournament, this is the year.

SCSU won the 2015 Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference regular season championship, besting longtime rival and D-II stalwart Minnesota State, with a 31-3 NSIC record and finished the year with a school record 54 wins with only five losses.  Their offseason casualties were kept to an absolute minimum and the bulk of their 2016 production will come from senior players who’ve been entrenched at their position for multiple seasons.

From last year’s regular lineup, seven will be back in uniform – two of which, third baseman Zak Hoffman and shortstop Kyle Lieser, were recently named NCBWA DII All-Central Regional Team preseason picks. The Husky pitching staff is also in great shape for 2016 as well. Sheldon Miks had a 1.15 ERA with 10 wins as a freshman and will be the yin to the yang of three-time All-American Reese Gregory. Last season Gregory, en route to winning the Daktronics Division II Pitcher of the Year, went 13-0 with a 1.49 ERA and amassed 92 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 84 2/3 innings on the hill. He also added six saves and batted a robust .339 as the team’s regular designated hitter.

Another unheralded pitcher back for SCSU is sophomore, Kevin Bolder. In his college debut season Bolder made 16 appearances which included a pair of spot starts. In those opportunities he struck out 35 batters with only nine walks. His continued develop from being one of the top lefthanded hurlers out of Wisconsin could be the pièce de résistance for the Cary-or-bust Huskies.

2016 Perfect Game Division II Preseason Top 25 Teams
RK School ST Record '15 RK
1 St. Cloud State Huskies MN 54-5 6
2 Franklin Pierce Ravens NH 48-4 9
3 Millersville Marauders PA 45-11 11
4 St. Edward's Hilltoppers TX 40-13 18
5 Colorado Mesa Mavericks CO 47-9 5
6 Tampa Spartans FL 43-13 1
7 Quincy Hawks IL 40-17 NR
8 Missouri Southern St. Lions MO 40-14 NR
9 Minnesota State Mavericks MN 43-9 12
10 West Florida Argos FL 30-18 NR
11 Florida Tech Panthers FL 38-13 19
12 Cal Poly Pomona Broncos CA 46-17 3
13 Mercyhurst Lakers PA 40-11 4
14 Cal Baptist Lancers CA 31-22 NR
15 Southern Arkansas Muleriders AR 40-18 NR
16 Nova Southeastern Sharks FL 39-13 8
17 West Alabama Tigers AL 42-11 7
18 Columbus St. Cougars GA 35-14 14
19 St. Leo Lions FL 36-13 NR
20 Ashland Eagles OH 38-19 NR
21 Catawba Indians NC 47-15 2
22 Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles IN 28-21 NR
23 Southern New Hampshire Penmen NH 31-14 NR
24 Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs MN 35-16 NR
25* Lee Flames TN 39-19 NR
25* East Stroudsburg Warriors PA 31-19 NR


25.* East Stroudsburg Warriors, Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference
Last season the Warriors batted .337 as a team, 12 best in the nation, and averaged a lofty 7.5 runs per game. However, their pitching staff had trouble keeping opposition off the bases, allowing a beefy 5.43 earned runs per game. Despite their inflated numbers the ESU staff has a number of strong arms which will make the Warriors a formidable opponent even if they develop to only a fraction of their total potential. Almost every player who put in quality innings in either the batter’s box and on the mound, including Ian Allen, who excelled at both, returns for this spring.

25.* Lee Flames, Gulf South Conference
After starting the season with a 20-15 record the Flames caught fire and finished at 39-19-1 which included a second place finish at the NCCAA World Series. In their first year of full NCAA compliance Lee should contend for the top of the GSC standings. Trenton Hill who had a 2.82 ERA in 83 innings with 97 strikeouts on the mound – and also batted .305 as a part of the team’s outfield – and former Michigan State standout Justin Alleman give Lee one of the nation’s top pitching tandems.

24. Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference
Minnesota State and St. Cloud State are the perennial favorites of the NSIC, but don’t overlook UMD.  The everyday lineup, which established a team record .970 fielding percentage last season, includes four returning batters who hit at least .380 and compiled a combined 452 bases, led by senior Alex Wojciechowski who topped the team with a .417 batting average and 12 home runs. The team also has the bulk of their pitching staff back on campus which will give them depth and experience as they look to advance to postseason play.

23. Southern New Hampshire Penmen, Northeast-10 Conference
The Penmen should have little trouble earning their fifth consecutive regional appearance with another roster full of highfalutin hard-throwing pitchers. The Penmen’s 2015 ace Alex Person, who went 8-1 with a 1.26 ERA, and the much improved pro prospect Justin Valdespina, will spearhead a staff that should best last season’s second-ranked 2.50 team ERA. Head coach Scott Loiseau, who transformed the team from single-digit win totals to a spot in the D-II National Championships, will be back in the dugout after a year as an assistant coach at Oklahoma.

This is PG 'DiamondKast' Level content.
You must be either an DiamondKast, Crosschecker Rankings & Scouting Reports, or Scout subscriber to read the rest.
Sign in Subscribe Now
Give us your feedback
College | Story | 9/22/2023

Cape Cod Top 2025 Prospect List
Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Earlier this week we debuted our Cape Cod Top 100 Prospect List and mixed amongst the 100 names were some 2025 graduates who will be eligible for the upcoming 2024 MLB Draft. Below, each of the 50 names are eligible in 2025 and those listed with an "^" are continuing their careers at a new school this fall.  Name Pos. Team School Hometown State Adonys Guzman^ C Bourne Arizona Valley Cottage NY Aidan Jimenez RHP Chatham Oregon State Elk Grove CA Anthony Martinez 1B YD UC Irvine Fairfield CA Ben Jacobs LHP Bourne UCLA Huntington Beach CA Bradley Hodges LHP Hyannis Virginia Fleming Island FL Brady Neal C YD LSU Tallahassee FL Brody Donay^ C/1B Hyannis Florida Lakeland FL Caden Bodine C Bourne Coastal Carolina Haddon Heights NJ Cam Leiter^ RHP Orleans Florida State Island Heights FL Cannon Peebles^ C Cotuit Tennessee Mechanicsville VA Drew Faurot^ SS Orleans Florida State Tallahassee FL...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Midwest Invitational Scout Notes

Tyler Kotila
Article Image
Creighton Tuzzio (2024, Clarinda, Iowa) took the ball in the semi-final game and was able to get on the bump and carve for his team. Tuzzio is a taller 6-foot-6, 210-pound frame with plenty to like in the operation. The right-handed pitcher has a slower and more controlled operation as he works through the delivery. He lifts the leg up around the belt and then works through a three-quarters release with good whip through it. The fastball worked up to 86 mph on the fastball and held in the low- to mid-80s. He creates some angle on it with the taller & projectable frame. It runs arm-side and can be a problem for right-handed hitters. He also showed a low-70s curveball with a bigger 11/5 tilt to it and good depth to miss some bats. The Iowa Western commit threw 5.0 innings, allowing just 1 run, with 4 walks and 6 strikeouts to his credit.   There’s no surprise here, but...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

WWBA World Championship Pool Preview

Perfect Game Staff
Article Image
Pool A Team Top Pos. Player RK Class Top Pitcher RK Class Location Boston Red Sox Scout Connor Lane 500 2024 Tague Davis 59 2024 Boston, MA Cangelosi Sparks Tyler Bell  122 2024 Brady Chambers 500 2024 Lockport, IL Dirtbags National 2024 Dalton Wentz 74 2024 Riley Leatherman 251 2024 Sedalia, NC Florida Burn Colton Schwarz 214 2025 Presley Woodson 500 2025 Sarasota, FL Projected Pool Winner: Dirtbags National 2024 With one of the deepest and most physical lineups in the nation, the Dirtbags National 2024 club have been putting up runs in bunches. No hitter is hotter than Austin Irby, as the ECU commit is While sluggers Dalton Wentz, Will Craddock and Palmer Hornick won’t be in attendance, Lee Sowers, Will Brooks, Jon Young Jr. and spark plug Carter Richardson lead an offense that averages over 7 runs per game. They can cover ground on...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Coastal Soph. Fall Invite Scout Notes

Todd Coffey
Article Image
Michael Flores (2026, NC) looking great through 4 innings pitched with 11 k’s. Great command and completely missing barrels. #2023WWBACoastalSophmoreFallInvatational pic.twitter.com/Oqd3WD0E05 — PG Coastal Scouting (@PG_Coastal) September 24, 2023 Michael Flores (2026, Mooresville, NC) put on an electric performance to watch for the SBA Futures 2026 in their matchup versus the Carolina Reds. The 5-foot-10, 175-pound, RHP did his job for his team today to keep them in the game. Flores throws with a high leg lift and creates some good motions towards the plate with his whippy action. Flores has a great feel for the zone and pounded strikes at a 66% rate. Flores generated swing and miss after swing and miss and it was clear he was in control out there on the mound. He sat in the 70-mph range to 79-mph range with his fastball with the ability to pinpoint it wherever he pleased....
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/26/2023

Fall Frenzy Scout Notes

Jason Phillips
Article Image
James Sherry (’26, Aiken, S.C.)- the 6-foot-1, 155-pound right-handed pitcher tossed a complete game for Xtreme Xposure Baseball-Bennett in an 8-1 win over 2 Way Athletics 16U. A primary outfielder, Sherry finished with 15 strikeouts and just one walk while controlling the zone at a 65% strike rate. Appearing in only his second PG tournament, Sherry turned in another great pitching performance after being selected to the All-Tournament Team at the 2023 16U PG Southeast Labor Day Classic. Aidan Petrocco (‘24 GA)- singles here into LF to load the bases for @643DPAthletics Primary MIF 2-for-4 w/ run scored on the day. #FallFrenzy @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/Ly7zEuRwyg — Perfect Game Georgia (@PG_Georgia) September 24, 2023 Aidan Petrocco (’24, Johns Creek, Ga.)- the 5-foot-9, 160-pound right-handed hitter for 643 DP Cougars 18U led the 18U Southeast Fall Frenzy...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/27/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3-5

Kyler Peterson
Article Image
A high speed look at this 2B from Keon Johnson... #WWBAWorlds @PG_Georgia https://t.co/Ejl8GirIgk pic.twitter.com/ate7ro35cp — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 24, 2023 Keon Johnson (2026, Macon, Ga.) started off the morning loud, going down to get a pitch down and smoking a double that split the opposite field gap at a 92 mph exit velocity. The shortstop has one of the best hit tools in the class and has tremendous feel for the barrel. The swing is quiet and simple, staying loose through the zone. The ball jumps and the parts really work. At short, Johnson looked silky with good actions, range, and plenty of arm strength across. The game comes easy for the Georgia native, and still just 15, the all-around game is very well-refined for the age.  Jaxson Wood (2026, Hoover, Ala.) finished batting .500 over the tournament, including three extra-base hits. The primary...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/25/2023

Deep South Fall Invitational Scout Notes

Alex Dorso
Article Image
Patrick Kovacs (2026 Knoxville TN) was dominant in his outing in game two of pool play for Exposure National. The southpaw tossed three scoreless innings allowing two hits while striking out eight. He showed plus command of the fastball dotting it to both sides of the plate while working off the corners at times. Patrick sat 75-78 topping at 79 multiple times throughout. He mixed in a tight breaking ball with two plane movement that he had no problem mixing in any count keeping the opposing hitters off balanced in the box. Coming from a mid 3/4s slot there was some deception within the operation making it tough to pick the fastball up out of the hand. The frame has plenty of athleticism within with plenty of more room for additional strength as he continues to mature. Kovacs should be a fun follow as he continues to progress through high school. Ryan Riojas (‘26 TN) drives this...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/24/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Troy Sutherland
Article Image
Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Extended look at Gunnar Garrison... 7 IP, 1 H, OER, 13 K, 1 BB (70% K) #WWBAWorlds @PG_FourCorners https://t.co/V89oASpD8r pic.twitter.com/tsP1mWCoNz — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) September 21, 2023 Colorado right-hander Gunnar Garrison (2026, Eaton, Colo.) was magnificent in his start for Slammers Anderson 2026’s. The big and physical 6-foot-4, 210-pound arm threw a complete game, seven inning, one-hit shutout, striking out 13 and walking one. The fastball had downhill life to it, sitting in the 85-88 range for the entirety of the game. Garrison held the velocity and reached back for his fastest bullet of the game, at 89, in the seventh inning. Finishing the outing with 70% strikes, he filled up the zone and went right at hitters. He also induced swing-and-miss on a curveball, featuring late...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/22/2023

Northeast Qualifier Scout Notes

John McAdams
Article Image
Jack Harley (2024, Mendham, NJ) put together a dominant performance at the plate in the WWBA NEQ, leading his team to a coveted Jupiter bid while also earning MVP-honors. The 6-foot-1 left-handed hitter showcased his advanced bat-to-ball skills on several occasions. He batted .643 with two doubles, a home run and six stolen bases. Harley utilizes a repeatable, synced-up stroke with clean separation into launch. He has a great feel for the barrel and creates good strength at impact to all parts of the diamond. The future Hokie recorded a hit in all six of his games and proved to be a reliable bat at the top-of-the-order for Clubhouse 2024 EvoShield. Harley’s build offers a good balance of strength and athleticism, making him a well-rounded prospect with intriguing upside moving forward.  .#VandyBoys commit Aiden O’Connell (‘24, NH) is back on the bump in the #NEQ...
Read More
Tournaments | Story | 9/23/2023

Sophomore WWBA Scout Notes: Days 1-2

Vincent Cervino
Article Image
Nathan Caldwell (2026, Columbia, S.C.) looked the part in the batter’s box as the Team Elite three-hole hitter had one of the hardest hit balls of the day. There’s really impressive bat speed and the ability to create violence and rotational acceleration through contact. He missiled a single during the game and there looks like there’s going to be pretty significant impact potential long term. He’s a strong kid with good indicators and offensive tools to like. Drew Borkowski (2026, Huntley, Ill.) showed plenty to like in the arm as he got the start in game one on the day for GRB. At 6-foot-1, 170-pounds he’s got a lanky frame with long limbs and plenty of room for physical projection. It’s a quick arm with solid arm speed throughout and he opened up sitting 85-87 mph with the fastball. The fastball showed good sinking life and he used it to get a lot...
Read More
Loading more articles...
About Perfect Game :: Contact us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy :: Testimonials :: Job Opportunities
Copyright 1994-2025 by Perfect Game. All rights reserved. No portion of this information may be reprinted or reproduced without the written consent of Perfect Game.